Consolidation in the industry has always been there, but for years it was a gradual merger of companies as some of them aged out or went belly-up. Often the owners would tire, or be forced to sell for health reasons and the company would be sold. This was hardly unique to the boat business, but…
Change is constant and the marine industry is no different—and we have a front row seat. Here’s a look at some of the major changes and top boating trends we see coming for 2023 and the next few years. We’ll expand on these in later posts, but for now, a brief overview.
Most cruisers in the Pacific head to Australia or New Zealand between November and May to wait out cyclone season, which is how we’ve found ourselves in New Zealand for several summer months. Due to the unexpected need to replace both rudders, we’ve been hesitant to head offshore very far or sail in rough conditions,…
Last week, we talked about engine hours and how important—or less important—the number can be. If the engine is in good shape and maintenance is carefully documented, the next item of worry are the moisture meter readings determined through survey. For some people, high moisture readings are absolute showstoppers, while for others, they garner a…
From a very early age—18 months, if my mom is to be believed!—I’ve suffered from motion sickness. When I took up sailing in my late teens, my parents were surprised. I think one of their first questions was how I was going to handle it when—not if—I got sick. Truthfully, in 20-plus years of sailing,…
Compared to most other industries, changes in recreational boat design have been gradual. Mainly because boating is small potatoes versus other areas where the market is far more substantial. There have been changes, of course, and one area has been the shape of sailboat keels and rudders. Fifty years ago they were often shaped like…
I start moving north tomorrow, leaving my floating condo/remote office (aka “Essential”) and returning to our Rochester Office. I am hoping the weather up north will continue to warm up and we will have an early spring. Last week, I took a short trip to see relatives down on Jekyll Island and then in Venice, Florida. Jekyll…
One of the useful, but not always available indicators of engine health is the total number of engine hours throughout its life. Boat buyers usually ask the “How many hours?” question early in the process, but what the numbers actually mean is the subject of some debate. We typically encounter three types of engine hour…
In the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s, boat dealerships proliferated, as did manufacturers. Prior to this time, few dealerships—as we know them today—existed. Boatyards might build their own wooden boats or maybe represent one builder. The advent of fiberglass changed everything—with exponential growth in terms of manufacturers, dealers, and of course, customers. It was…
As you’re gearing up for boating season, now is the perfect time to take a look at your safety equipment and assess what you might need to upgrade or add. Make sure you’re checking the following basics before getting out on the water: — Inflatable life jackets and tethers Check your inflatable lifejackets according to…